By the time Sheldon Keefe stepped to the podium after the Marlies’ 5-2 loss in Game 6 of the Calder Cup final, it was as if he’d been there, in that moment, before.

In a playoff run that included back-to-back sweeps, this was, surprisingly, his team’s second time on the brink. They’d stared down elimination and come out on top two months early in their first-round series against the Utica Comets — a game Keefe said was the most fun they’ve had all year.

They’d bounced back after a loss on home ice to their opponent, the Texas Stars, whom they never played in the regular season, once before too.

“We’ve had to respond. We’ve been able to do that. They beat us in this building the last time we were here and that’s what happened,” Keefe said.

“We’re done growing. It’s time to just get it done. But we’re excited for the chance to play again. We earned the opportunity for two cracks at...